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Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana

Received: 7 January 2014    Accepted:     Published: 20 February 2014
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Abstract

Background: Child malnutrition is a public health problem in Ghana. Focused on three sub-districts of Gurene, Talensi and Nabdam in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this study examines how cultural factors occasion spatial patterns of stunting. Method: A questionnaire for 300 respondents were equally shared among sub-districts. Result: The study indicates significant spatial differences as Nabdam was very high (50%), Talensi high (37%) and Gurene (21%). Also, children of single mothers were better nourished followed by children of widows and those married. For all well-nourished children 43.4% lived in the Gurene area, 32% in Talensi area and 24.6% in Nabdam area. Factors such as ethnicity, religion, number per siblings and number of (women) were found to significantly contribute either directly or indirectly to stunting levels. Conclusion: The study found out that, there is enough evidence indicating that significant variations of under-five stunting exist among the three main sub-ethnic groups. All the variables under study had positive correlations with stunting among children under five years of age. However, the effects of these factors on stunting were enhanced by other factors including mothers’ education and age.

Published in International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences (Volume 3, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14
Page(s) 37-43
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Malnutrition, Children, Stunting, Sub-Districts, Gurene, Talensis, Nabdams

References
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[2] Andrews, L. and Dino, S. (2003). Protein-Energy Malnutrition. The World Health Organization, http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic797/2003.
[3] Azure, R. A. (2003). Comparative study of nutritional status of children 0-59 months of age in two communities in Agogo, Asante Akim North District. A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Public Health, University of Ghana, for the Award of Master of Public Health Degree. Unpublished.
[4] BRHA [Bolgatanga Regional Health Administration] (2004). Second Half Year Program Implementation Report on Supplementary Feeding in Upper East Region, July-December, Regional Annual Health Review of Ghana Health Service, U. E. R. Ghana.
[5] Choudhary, R. P. (2001). Anthropometric Indices of Nutritional Deficiency Sign in Pre-School Children in India, Anthropol Anz. 59: 61-71.
[6] De Blij, H.J. (1996). Human Geography: Culture, Society and Space. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
[7] Ghana Statistical Service [GSS] and Macro International Inc. [MI] (1993). Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, Maryland: GSS and MI
[8] Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and Macro International Inc. [MI] (1998). Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, Maryland: GSS and MI.
[9] Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), and ORC Macro (2003). Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, Maryland: GSS, NMIMR, and ORC Macro.
[10] Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), Ghana Health Service (GHS), and ICF Macro (2008). Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Accra, Ghana: GSS, GHS, and ICF Macro.
[11] Ghosh, S. (1995). Nutrition of children under five, Health Care of Women and Children in Developing Countries (2nd edition).
[12] Ighogboja, S. I. (1992). Some Factors Contributing to Protein-Energy Malnutrition in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, E. Afr Med J, 10: 69.
[13] Jansen, A. A. (1977). Malnutrition and Children Feeding Practices in Western Samoa, J Trop Paediatr. 23: 293-306.
[14] Lisa, C. S. and Haddad, L. (2000). Overcoming Child Malnutrition in Developing Countries: Past Achievements and Future Choices. International Food Policy Research Institute. At: http//www.ifpri.org/2020/briefs/number64/
[15] Morley D. (1994). Malnutrition in Children. In: Lankinen KS, Bergström S, Mäkelä PH and Peltomaa M (Eds.): Health and Disease in Developing Countries. The Macmillan Press Limited, London, U.K. p. 297-304.
[16] Nabila, J.S. (1992). Population, Health and Migration: A Socio-Economic Survey in the Upper East Region with Reference to Drought and Desertification Control in Ghana. Final Report Submitted to the Environmental Protection Council of Ghana. Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana – Legon, 1992, 9-51.
[17] Oppong, C. (1999). Infants’ Entitlements and Babies’ Capabilities: Explaining Infant Hunger, Research Review (New Series), Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, 15, 2
[18] Population Reference Bureau [PRB] (1991). Family Planning Saves Lives (2nd Edition). Population Reference bureau, Washington, D. C.
[19] Taha, S. A. (1979). Ecological Factors Underlying Protein-Caloric Malnutrition in an Irrigated Area of Sudan, Ecol Food Nutr, 7: 193-201.
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  • APA Style

    Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil, Chris Bambey Guure. (2014). Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana. International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 3(2), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14

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    ACS Style

    Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil; Chris Bambey Guure. Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana. Int. J. Nutr. Food Sci. 2014, 3(2), 37-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14

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    AMA Style

    Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil, Chris Bambey Guure. Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana. Int J Nutr Food Sci. 2014;3(2):37-43. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14,
      author = {Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil and Chris Bambey Guure},
      title = {Implication of Cultural Factors in Spatial Patterns of Stunting among the Three Main Frafra Groups in Upper East Region of Ghana},
      journal = {International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences},
      volume = {3},
      number = {2},
      pages = {37-43},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnfs.20140302.14},
      abstract = {Background: Child malnutrition is a public health problem in Ghana. Focused on three sub-districts of Gurene, Talensi and Nabdam in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this study examines how cultural factors occasion spatial patterns of stunting. Method: A questionnaire for 300 respondents were equally shared among sub-districts. Result: The study indicates significant spatial differences as Nabdam was very high (50%), Talensi high (37%) and Gurene (21%). Also, children of single mothers were better nourished followed by children of widows and those married. For all well-nourished children 43.4% lived in the Gurene area, 32% in Talensi area and 24.6% in Nabdam area. Factors such as ethnicity, religion, number per siblings and number of (women) were found to significantly contribute either directly or indirectly to stunting levels. Conclusion: The study found out that, there is enough evidence indicating that significant variations of under-five stunting exist among the three main sub-ethnic groups. All the variables under study had positive correlations with stunting among children under five years of age. However, the effects of these factors on stunting were enhanced by other factors including mothers’ education and age.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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    AU  - Christopher Sormiteyema Boatbil
    AU  - Chris Bambey Guure
    Y1  - 2014/02/20
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14
    T2  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
    SP  - 37
    EP  - 43
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2327-2716
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnfs.20140302.14
    AB  - Background: Child malnutrition is a public health problem in Ghana. Focused on three sub-districts of Gurene, Talensi and Nabdam in the Upper East Region of Ghana, this study examines how cultural factors occasion spatial patterns of stunting. Method: A questionnaire for 300 respondents were equally shared among sub-districts. Result: The study indicates significant spatial differences as Nabdam was very high (50%), Talensi high (37%) and Gurene (21%). Also, children of single mothers were better nourished followed by children of widows and those married. For all well-nourished children 43.4% lived in the Gurene area, 32% in Talensi area and 24.6% in Nabdam area. Factors such as ethnicity, religion, number per siblings and number of (women) were found to significantly contribute either directly or indirectly to stunting levels. Conclusion: The study found out that, there is enough evidence indicating that significant variations of under-five stunting exist among the three main sub-ethnic groups. All the variables under study had positive correlations with stunting among children under five years of age. However, the effects of these factors on stunting were enhanced by other factors including mothers’ education and age.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Liberal Studies, School of Applied Sciences and Arts, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, Ghana

  • Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

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